Your skin is an outer reflection of the foods you put in your body. Some of us are prone to dry skin, and seasonal weather changes can make our skin dryer as well. There are a few things you can eat to enrich and hydrate the skin from the inside out.
1 egg, lightly beaten
1 15 ounce carton part-skim ricotta cheese
1 10 ounce package frozen chopped spinach, thawed and well drained
4 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 15 ounce jar Alfredo sauce
1/2 cup fat-free milk
6 whole grain lasagna noodles
2 cups shredded carrots (4 medium)
2 cups sliced fresh mushrooms
1/2 cup shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese (2 ounces)
1/4 cup finely shredded Parmesan cheese (1 ounce)
Nonstick cooking spray
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly coat a 2-quart rectangular baking dish with cooking spray.
2. In a medium bowl stir together egg, ricotta cheese, spinach, garlic, and pepper. In a separate bowl combine Alfredo sauce and milk.
3. Spread about 1/2 cup of the Alfredo sauce mixture into the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Arrange three of the uncooked noodles in a layer over the sauce. Spread half of the spinach mixture over the noodles; top with half of the carrots and half of the mushrooms. Arrange the remaining three uncooked noodles over the vegetables. Top noodles with the remaining spinach mixture. Top with the remaining carrots and the remaining mushrooms. Cover with the remaining Alfredo mixture. Sprinkle with the mozzarella cheese and Parmesan cheese.
4. Lightly coat a sheet of foil with cooking spray. Cover dish with foil, coated side down.
5. Bake for 60 to 70 minutes. Uncover. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes more or until top is lightly browned. Let stand for 20 minutes before serving.
Spinach Alfredo Lasagna
Courtesy Of Diabetic Living
Also A Vegetarian Dish
Next step… cloning babies. Not sure if I’m ready for that step.
Researchers at Oregon Health and Science University have successfully created human embryonic stem cells by cloning.
By doing so, the science community has taken a giant step toward developing replacement tissue to treat diseases and could also be a step toward the day when cloned babies could be a possibility.
The scientists took skin cells from an eight month old baby with a genetic disease and combined them with donated human eggs. The result was human embryos that were genetically identical to the baby. They were then able to extract stem cells from these created embryos.
This technique is basically the same process that was used to create Dolly the sheep and many of the cloned animals that have followed although in those cases the created embryos were implanted in the womb of surrogate mothers.
Dolly was a domesticated sheep and the first mammal to be successfully cloned. She was the only lamb that survived into adulthood of 227 attempts. She died at age six even though the life expectancy of her breed of sheep is usually 11 or 12. She died of a progressive lung disease which is fairly common in sheep. If is not believed that her early death was related to her creation process but there will always be some doubt.
The Oregon researchers, led by Prof. Shoukhrat Mitalipov, did not implant their human embryos and said they had no intention of doing so. Despite the fact that dozens of animals have been cloned using this technique, called nuclear transfer, human cells have remained stubbornly resistant to the process.
This is the 2nd part in the series “How to Keep Excellent Eyesight: 15 Ways to Prevent Blindness.” In a world where the cost of healthcare continues to rise and getting health care is more and more complicated the best thing we can do is prevent health problems from coming.
The cynic can always find a loophole or a reason why personal efforts are not worth the effort.
However, I am and will remain a huge believer in preventative medicine. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of treatment. Enjoy.
When not managed, diabetes is dangerous for eye health. Out of control sugar levels wreak havoc on the eyes, leading to diabetic retinopathy.
Diabetic retinopathy is one of the leading causes of blindness in the USA today.
And it is preventable.
Be proactive in keeping blood sugars under control, enjoy a healthy diet and maintain a regular relationship with the optometrist to diabetic retinopathy.
There is constant research being done to help us understand these diseases better and find cures.
Hope for diabetic eye disease cure may be on its way. The University of Michigan Kellog Eye Center has identified a specific protein that regulates the leaky blood vessels which cause the vision impairment in diabetic eye disease. Researchers believe they have found a way to block the damage done, preventing the vessels from leaking and stopping the vision problems. “We still have a long way to go…but the results are very promising,” one of the lead authors stated.
Fix your cataracts and avoid hip surgery?
Yes, according to researchers there is a big connection between eyesight and how well we live, especially as we get older.
Having cataracts removed may decrease your risk of hip surgery. Victoria Tseng from Brown University, Rhode Island, states that people with better vision decrease their risk of falls at significant levels. She and her colleagues state they found that cataracts are “one of the most common causes of fracture-related visual impairment.”
Smoking is hard to quit but the positive influence on your health is magnanimous.
Smoking affects many parts of our bodies and our eyes are not immune.
Researchers from China concluded an extensive study showing the correlation between smoking and different kinds of cataracts.
Age-related cataracts are the most common kind that comes from smoking (that scientists can tell). While cataract removal remains one of the most successful surgeries in the Western World, there is a notable cost attached that some people cannot afford. Preventing cataracts in the first place by not smoking is important for quality life and vision at all stages of life.
If we have poor posture at our work desks, not sitting close enough OR too close to the computer screen, our eyes work harder to make up for the difference. Computer vision syndrome can result in eye weariness, headaches, red eyes, dry eyes and changes in vision.
To avoid computer vision syndrome, do the following:
Make sure you are seated correctly at your work station, approximately two feet away from the screen. Feet should be flat on the floor. Eyes should focus straight with shoulders back and neck in a upright position. For more information on computer vision syndrome, check out http://allaboutvision.com/cvs
The harmful UV rays of the sun don’t only burn our skin. Exposure to the harmful UV rays can lead to burning around the eyes, increased risk of cataract development and other eye problems. Protect your eyes with UV protective sunglasses.
Cataract surgery remains one of the most successful elective surgeries in the United States.
In the past advanced cataracts would interfere with vision and quality of life. Today, there are easily removed and individuals continue on with hardly a break in their routine.
Add in the advances of Lasik and Orthkeratoloy procedures and more adults are enjoying better vision today than ever before.
Eating fish and lean meat can help protect the eyes. Salmon and other fish are filled with the healthy omega-3 fatty acids. Multiple studies show how omega-3 fatty acids can directly protect the eye from wear and tear.
We are holistic beings. Our different body systems affect one another. If a body system is not functioning properly, it has the potential to infect other parts.
High blood pressure will cause problems for every part of the body because each organ needs the life giving nutrients and oxygen the circulatory system brings. High blood pressure is nicknamed “the silent killer” because the effects of unrelenting and uncontrolled high blood pressure are often symptom-less until the damage has been done.
When blood pressure is high, the circulatory system running through the eyes wears down and gets weaker. Optometrists can assess blood pressure when he or she looks into your eyes with their equipment.
Take charge of your blood pressure now and keep your eyes healthy and your vision bright for the future.
Conclusion
Just like having a healthy blood pressure, having good vision has a little bit to do with genetics and physiology. There are some things in life we can’t outrun. Some eye problems, like glaucoma and macular degeneration, have a genetic component that scientists haven’t figured out how to fix.
The good news is that a lot of your vision depends on habits, not genetics.
Even if there are some variables in the genetic pool working against you, we can fight them with today’s excellent technology and scientific knowledge to overcome them.
Blindness is mostly avoidable today.
If we our conscious of our lifestyles and practice preventative healthy only a few people should suffer from blindness in old age from unpreventable factors.
Most people today who will be blind in their later years could have taken steps to stop it from advancing so far. Blindness is becoming an avoidable malady.
Protect yourself. Protect your loved ones. Take care of your eyes.
You can read more of Melissa AuClair’s writing at http://www.launchyourcreativelife.com
Today, the World Health Organization estimates that 75% of blindness is preventable.
Yet the number of people who will experience severe eye diseases leading to blindness- diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration and glaucoma- continues to rise.
You and I don’t have to be one of the people who suffers from preventable blindness.
By incorporating proactive action steps into the daily life, we can enjoy excellent eyesight to the end of life.
The eyes are the only muscle we have that gets weaker with more use. Some vision loss is normal and hard to prevent. However, severe vision loss leading to blindness does not have to be an outcome for most people living in the United States today if you follow essential actions.
This article will look at how each of us can achieve excellent eyesight for life.
Here is Part 1 of 15 Actions to enjoy good eyesight for life.
This is one of the most proactive steps you can take to prevent blindness. Optometrists have diagnostic equipment that can see problems coming “down the pipes” of the eyes before the symptoms ever show.
Optometrists can see if diabetes is causing wear and tear on your retina or whether your eyes are showing signs of developing glaucoma. Once the symptoms of these diseases show up, treatment is limited.
Early detection changes this. Early detection allows doctors to watch, treat and prevent potential eye problems from developing into severe problems.
For people under forty, the American Optometry Association recommends a checkup every three years. People over 40 should see their optometrist every two years unless recommended otherwise by their doctor.
Logically we know we need to eat more fruits and vegetables but we don’t do it.
It cannot be overemphasized that the benefit of a diet high in vegetables and fruits on our health is astonishing.
The more colorful the fruit or vegetable, the better it is for your eyes! Red and yellow peppers, carrots, pumpkin, spinach and berries are full of antioxidants and nutrients that will help you feel better and see better.
What you eat may help your eyes perk up in their appearance. Foods rich in lutein and zeaxanthin have been shown to boost eye health by strengthening the retina. Look for green leafy vegetables; they are naturally high in lutein and zeaxanthin.
When something is not normal, such as a discoloration of the eye, check in with the optometrist. For example, yellow eyes are not normal. If you or a loved one has yellow-colored eyes, you need to see your optometrist or doctor right away. The body usually gives us clues when something goes awry- when the “whites” of the eyes change to a yellow, it signals a potential problem that needs to be addressed.
Did you know that kale is noted as a great vegetable for vision health? Not only is it high in antioxidants (like its chard, spinach and beet green family members mentioned in the diet section), but it has one of the most concentrated amounts of vitamin A. Just one cup of kale yields an entire day’s worth of needed Vitamin A (481mcg). That is TWICE as vitamin A than other leafy greens, leading to kale being noted as the eye’s favorite vegetable.
Vision changes need to be followed up with your optometrist. Don’t brush off signs or appearances that seem out of place. Your body is trying to tell you something is not right.
Get rid of twitching eyes! Bothered by painless, but annoying, twitching of one or both eyes? You may need to check your sleep routine or caffeine intake. Too much caffeine, too little sleep or too much stress can cause involuntary twitching in the eyes. If the twitching increases, be sure to see your optometrist- occasionally twitching can be the sign of a more significant problem- dry eyes, pink eye or blepharitis- that requires additional treatment.
Diabetes is potentially dangerous for eye health. Out of control sugar levels wreak havoc on the eyes, leading to diabetic retinopathy.
Diabetic retinopathy is one of the leading causes of blindness in the US today.
And it is preventable.
Be proactive in keeping blood sugars under control, enjoy a healthy diet and maintain a regular relationship with the optometrist to diabetic retinopathy. There is constant research being done to help us understand these diseases better and find cures.
Hope for diabetic eye disease cure may be on its way. The University of Michigan Kellog Eye Center has identified a specific protein that regulates the leaky blood vessels which cause the vision impairment in diabetic eye disease. Researchers believe they have found a way to block the damage done, preventing the vessels from leaking and stopping the vision problems. “We still have a long way to go…but the results are very promising,” one of the lead authors stated.
Melissa AuClair worked as a RN for 8 years in acute care hospitals. The best part of being a nurse is empowering people to care for themselves- and prevent health problems in the future. “It’s so much easier to maintain good health than reverse lifestyle health problems. It takes discipline, but that discipline gives people freedom to live high quality, active lives.” Melissa can be followed on Twitter @Melissauclair She blogs about lifestyle and freelance work at www.launchyourcreativelife.com
Three square meals a day is all well and good, but we all sometimes need a little something in between, but there is no need to buy all the 100-cal snack pack but full of ingredients we can hardly spell,
here are some real-food-snacks ideas that will boost our energy and without piling on the calories!
1. Sliced tomato with a sprinkle of feta and olive oil
2. Banana and it comes naturally prepackaged goodness you can take anywhere, with the added benefit of cramp-preventing potassium.
3. Protein-packed Edamames (measured shelled).
4. Ants on a log, Spread some peanut butter on celery and add a few raisins.
5. Hummus and Carrot/Celery Sticks, Hummus is best when you make it yourself using chickpeas.
6. Nuts: a protein nutrient filled snack.
7. Cherry Tomatoes: nature’s super-food.
8. Raspberries with 2 Tbsp Plain Yogurt and 1 tsp Honey.
9. Dark Chocolate, containing at least 70 per cent cocoa solids is a good source of antioxidants — particularly flavonoids, which are the type that are found in green tea and red wine.
10. And finally and my favorite one, a homemade smoothie, which contains the pulp of the fruit and not just the juice, and provides you with fiber plus a whole array of vitamins and minerals.
Healthy snacking improves overall health, curbs cravings, fights weight gain, regulates mood, boosts brain power and gives you the energy you need to keep going all day!!
h/t/ – Positivemed
Do you know what the outcome of dancing on a treadmill is?
It goes Viral!
The thyroid is like a butterfly-shaped gland located in the neck, and is known as the master gland of metabolism, so when it doesn’t work it can affect almost every aspect of your health.
The main problem is that much of the population is under-informed about symptoms and can’t treat on time, which can lead to obesity, heart disease, depression, anxiety, hair loss, sexual dysfunction, infertility, among others.
Here are some of the most common signs that you may have a thyroid condition:
10. Muscle and Joint Pains – Aches and pains in your muscles and joints, weakness in the arms and a tendency to develop carpal tunnel in the arms/hands.
9. Neck Discomfort or Enlargement – A feeling of swelling in the neck, discomfort with turtlenecks or neckties.
8. Hair and Skin Changes –Hair frequently becomes brittle, coarse and dry, while breaking off and falling out easily. Skin can become coarse, thick, dry, and scaly.
7. Bowel Problems – Severe or long-term constipation and diarrhea or irritable bowel syndrome.
6. Menstrual Irregularities and Fertility Problems – Heavier, more frequent and more painful periods or shorter, lighter and infrequent Infertility can also be associated
5. Family History – If you have a family history of thyroid problems, you are at a higher risk of having a thyroid condition yourself.
4. Cholesterol Issues – High cholesterol, especially when it is not responsive to diet, exercise or cholesterol-lowering medication
3. Depression and Anxiety – Depression or anxiety, including sudden onset of panic disorder, can be symptoms of thyroid disease.
2. Weight Changes – Unexplained weight changes and issues can be signs of both hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism.
1. Fatigue – Feeling exhausted when you wake up or being unable to function all day without a nap can be signs of thyroid problems.
h/t – Positivemed
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced Tuesday that it approved the availability of the Plan B One-Step emergency contraception pill without a prescription for women 15 and older.
This move comes just weeks after a federal judge in Brooklyn, New York, ordered the FDA to make the morning-after birth control pill available to women of any age, without a prescription.
Tuesday’s FDA announcement, which pertains to an application from Teva Women’s Health, Inc., is not related to that, the FDA said.
“The FDA’s approval of Teva’s current application for Plan B One-Step is independent of that litigation and this decision is not intended to address the judge’s ruling,” the FDA said in a statement.
In early April, the U.S. Justice Department indicated an appeal of the Brooklyn judge’s order was under consideration. “The Department of Justice is reviewing the appellate options and expects to act promptly,” department spokeswoman Allison Price said.
According to the new FDA decision, Plan B One-Step will now be labeled to reflect that proof of age is required to purchase it, and it cannot be sold where age cannot be verified. The packaging will include a product code that prompts the cashier to ask and verify the age of the customer.
The product will be available in retail outlets with pharmacies, but the pill can be sold during non-pharmacy hours,
h/t – CNN
We’ve heard these studies before but now a new published report takes the claim a bit further.
This study reveals consuming an extra cup may stop or prevent the reoccurrence of breast cancer when taken with Tamoxifen.
Sound far-fetched?
Researchers at the University of Sweden don’t think so. They say it may be true: drinking coffee may help prevent the return of breast cancer.
Following 300 breast cancer patients for five years, researchers asked some to take Tamoxifen (a medication used for the treatment for early and advanced breast cancer) with coffee while the rest of the patients in the study refrained from coffee consumption and took their Tamoxifen on its own.
Participants in the study who drank two or more cups of coffee plus the Tamoxifen after breast cancer surgery had half the rate of cancer recurrence than that of the participants who did not drink coffee.
The researchers theorize that coffee acts to “activate Tamoxifen and make it more efficient.”
The connection between coffee consumption and a decreased risk in cancer is not new.
Other studies show coffee may slow the progression of cancer cells. Coffee has also been connected to a decreased risk of developing certain kinds of cancer including skin and colon cancer.
Lund University Associate Professor Helena Jernstrom stated, “We would like to know more about how lifestyle can interact with breast cancer treatment.
This is researcher talk for: we need to do more trials and research.
In the past year other studies pertaining to coffee and its effect on health have been published. Positive benefits of coffee drinking include:
• Decreased risk of diabetes
• Increased metabolism
• Increased heart health
• Longevity
• Decreased risk of stroke
Of course, if one doesn’t normally drink coffee, this study is not a green light to begin. Always check with your doctor before significantly altering your diet.
After all, going from no coffee to multiple cups of coffee may result in something you don’t want: a negative effect on the nerves!
Melissa AuClair blogs at www.launchyourcreativelife.com She has worked in multiple areas including 8 years on medical-surgical floors as a RN. She loves a good cup (or three) of coffee every morning.
There are many things you can do for your skin, and many of these things are not necessarily provided by pharmaceutical industries, in fact many of the fancy treatments we now use are packed with chemicals that in long term affect our skin badly.
Not all of them are bad, you just have to get to know them and your skin, its ok to give them a chance, and they need at least six weeks to work. If nothing has changed by week six, the product will never work for you.
1. Always try natural options, when it comes to nature, the original is better than the copy, since the biological structure of the skin is designed to recognize and utilize natural ingredients.
2. First of all begin by keeping it clean. Cleanse for approximately 2 minutes every night, twice a day.
3. Stop squeezing pimples. When people squeeze, it can rupture the duct that produces oil, causing trauma, infection and, eventually, scarring.
4. Begin from the inside out, avoid sugar intake as much as possible, since everything you put into your body is reflected in your skin.
5. Avoid sugar, but introduce chocolate, dark chocolate will arm your skin with additional flavonols, protective nutrients that researchers believe absorb UV light and increase blood flow to the skin, improving its appearance.
6. Get to know your skin type, this way you will ensure you’re using the correct cleanser and moisturizer.
7. Exfoliate once a week to remove old dead cell material. Use a “fractionated” oil to moisturize, this will mimic and replace your acid mantle, but those with sensitive skin may experience excessive skin irritation and should not exfoliate that often.
8. Have a good sleep; while you’re logging quality snooze time, havoc may be breaking out on your face. Hormonal surges during sleep cause your sebaceous glands to pump oil.
9. Also try to wash your sheets weekly, since when you sleep, lotions, hair gels, and oils sweat off of your body and onto your linens.
10. Take a chill pill; stress slows down the skin’s rejuvenation process. It can reduce cell renewal, destroy collagen fibers in the skin, and break down elastin, thus speeding up the aging process.
h/t – Positivemed
